Crewe & Nantwich RUFC 2nds kicked off their season with a narrow defeat at home to Liverpool Collegiate 2nds at the Vagrants.
The game started badly for Crewe with turnover ball from the kick off and a series of drives from the Collegiate pack allowing their fly-half to cross unopposed kick to make it 5-0 after just three minutes.
Collegiate’s big pack controlled the set pieces, forcing Crewe to defend for long periods.
The hosts had early chances and almost forced their way over the line but turned over a scrum when a try beckoned.
It proved costly. The ball was quickly moved through hands deep into the Crewe half, and again the Collegiate pack set up good position for their centre to crash over under the posts to make it 12-0 to Liverpool at the break.
A good turnover from Eddie Cooper from kick off gave Crewe a series of attacks in the Collegiate 22, which resulted in a penalty at the breakdown. The away side’s prop received a yellow card for foul play.
Crewe opted for a scrum, but perhaps took the wrong option and the ball was turned over.
However, soon after full-back Charlie Hutchins fielded a clearance kick, drew his man and fed winger Harry Price who broke two tackles and darted under the posts from halfway to make it 7-12 in the 47th minute.
Crewe were back in the game and pressing hard but were pegged back by a breakaway try from the Collegiate wing, restoring a two-score lead with the conversion missed, 7-17 on 58 minutes.
The hosts made their final change, bringing on Henry Nash at hooker for Jono Hemmings and moving Chris Sproston to prop.
Against a tiring pack, Crewe now enjoyed some good ball and were camped in the Collegiate 22.
But again momentum was disrupted by another breakaway try from the away winger to make it 7-24 on 68 minutes, and all but seal the game.
Skipper Tom Vanstome scored a late breakaway try with a 60-metre burst to reduce the arrears, final score 14-24.
Meanwhile, Crewe & Nantwich 3rds won convincingly 29-14 at home against Macclesfield 4ths.
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